Apparatus for canning foodstuffs



Sept. 15, 1936. J. MILLS APPARATUS FOR CANNING FOODSTUFFS Filed July 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l ZSnventor JOHN M/ZZS 1 (Ittomegs Sept. 15, 1936. f J. MIL .LS 2,054,093

APPARATUS FOR CANNING FdODSTUFFS Filed July 14, 1935 s She ets-Sheet 2 attorney 5 Sept. 15, 1936. J MILLS 2,054,093

- APPARATUS FOR CANNING FOODSTUFFS Filed July 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 inventor JOHN N/LL 5 wzm Gttornegs Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED. STATES PATENT, OFFICE 2,054,093 APPARATUS roa CANNING roons'rurrs -John Mills, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Crown Cork and Seal of New York is disclosed which comprises ,generallya rotatively driven drum or turret constructed to progressively receive a plurality of cans which, prior to delivery thereto have been filled; with an edible. During the operation of the machine these cans are broughtinto engagement with the valve header where fluid communication with the interim of the can is eflfected. In the early portion of the operating cycle of the turret. a partial 1 vacuum is created in the valve header which embodimentof the invention causes the rarefication of the gases within the can. In the later portion of the operating cycle of the turret steam under pressure is injected into the cans which causes the contents thereof to be violently agitated and-heated to a. relatively high temperature. In my co-pending application aforesaid, the mechanism provided to exhaust the air from the cans was connected to a manifold, common to the steam exhaust line, and formed with conduits which led to each of the valve headers. Steam lines were also connected .with each of the headers and exhaust lines led therefrom to an exhaust manifold. The structure .further embodiedeontrol cams and operating linkage which was organized to successively actuate steam and vacuum valves within the headers and govern the period during which each of the valves was retained in its open position.

In the present invention, which is an improvement over my former application, Serial No.

"629,678, a partial vacuum is automatically cre- Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation Application July 14, 1933. Serial No. 680,456

14 Claims. (01. 99-251) Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a sterilizing and container sealing machine embodying the improved valve header.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, parti lly in elevation, the section being taken on a pla e indicated by the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the machine including the arrangement of the valve header, the conduit connections and control linkage therefor.

, Figure 4 is a detailed view in section illustrating the structure of the improved valve header.

Referring to Figure 1 the sterilizing machine comprises generally a base or pedestal l0 having a rotatively driven drum or turret H journalled thereon upon which there is mounted a plurality of valve headers l2 disposed in radial alignment with a series of can chucking platforms l3 which are arranged upon the outer face of the turret ll adjacent the periphery thereof.

The turret II is driven by a pinion l4 meshed with a gear I5 formed in the periphery of the turret and, as disclosed in my former application, Serial No. 629,678, is provided with mechanism'to effect the continuous delivery of cans thereto. The drum or turret II is mounted upon a tubular shaft l6 journalled in bearings (not shown) in the pedestal l0. Within the shaft [6 there is a tube l1 affixed against rotation to the base or pedestal Ill. The outer end of the tube I1 is connected to the steam exhaust line which communicates with a condenser preferably disposed remote from the machine. The inner end of the tube 11 is formed with a flange l8 upon which there is mounted adisc I! having a radially 35 Within 23 communicating with the source of steam sup- 4 As indicated in Figure 2 a stufling box 24 is provided upon the conduit to prevent escapement of the exhaust steam from the connection between the conduit 20 and the tube l'l. Pack- 4 5 mg is also provided about thepipe 23 to seal the connection between the pipe and the flange". The head 2| is constructed with a shouldered recess therein which is divided by a plate 26 forming chambers 21 and 28. The outer chamber 21 constitutes a steam chest to which conduits 29, leading to the valve headers II, are connected. The inner chamber 28 communicates with the tube I! and receives the conduits 30' which lead intermounted The can employed in conjunction with the apparatus herein illustrated and disclosed in";

connection with my co -pending application is formed with a valve disc (1 which is engageable with a valve stem 36 subtended from the header i2. When the'valve stem 34 engages the disc a the head 35 of the valve will be lifted from its seat, the disc c depressed and steam delivered through the conduit to the interior of the header will. be admitted through the valve into the can A.

The valve headers embodying the present invention comp' sing having a chamber 36 therein wit? communicate. The base ructed to receive a valve ceive a gasket 38 w ..icn is provided to afford a. seal between the he der and the can during the evacuating and sterilizing cycle of the turret. Within the chamber adjacentthe steam inlet 28 there is a ct 7 having the outer end thereof extend a Venturi tube 40 which is c wall of the header coaxial with the port of the conduit 29. The outer end of the n'turi tube 40 is extended within a valve cage iii. The suitable t cage may be formed to receive any of valve, such for instance as the liustrated herein. In this embodi- 43 is provided with a transverse a is disposed to facilitate fluid comication between the Venturi tube and the exin, ct port upon reciprocative adjustment of the core. valve core 33, as illustrated herein, is reciprocal by linkage comprising a bell crank 45 pivotally supported upon a bracket 46 formed in the valve cage 4 i The lower arm of the bell crank issiotted to receive a pin 41 retained within the shank of the valve core 43. The upper arm of bell crank is cupped to retain a push rod 48 which is supported in a recess in the end of a .ic /er 49 fulcrumed intermediate its end upon a valve core to its open position. The disposition of the land, in relation to the turret, is arranged to open the valve during the initial rotative cycle of the turret. The circumferential length of the land 53 is formed to maintain the valve in its open position through approximately the first 90 travel of the turret.

In the cyclic operation of the machine, after a can has been delivered to the chucking platform of the turret it is elevated into abutting relation with the valve header where the valve stem 3 depresses the disc a, lifts the valve head 35 from its seat and thus effects fluid counica- 'l affixed to the body of the header "ween the header chamber 36 and the inthe can. At this time the land 53 of the is positioned to cause the opening of the so that steam emitted from the jet 39 ow through the Venturi tube and be exd through the line 30. As the steam rushes h the Venturi tube a vacuum of approxi- 2 1, to 29 cubic inches of mercury is creithi ;,the chamber 36, and since the interior in fluid communication therewith the I evolved through the evacuating ['portiurlpf ts cycle the roller 52 will have reached the smaller diametric section of the cam l9 thus causing movement of the control linkage and the closure of the valve 42. The steam admitted through the conduit 29 will then flow through the valve 35 and thus eiTect the sterilization of the contents of the can A. Upon completion of the sterilizing cycle of the turret the can will be oscillated into position for application of the sealing mechanism, as described in my co-pending application aforesaid. The area of the head of the valve 35 is greater than the valve port so that the steam pressure within the chamber36 will cause the immediate closure of the valve when the engagement of the valve stem with the can is broken upon removal of the can from the header.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modificationsof structural detail may be resortedto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

1. A valve header comprising a. housing having a chamber therein, an inlet communicating with said chamber, a tube constituting an exhaust steam passage, a jet connected with said inlet and extended within said tube, a valve within said chamber, a valve stem therefor extended beyond said housing and adapted to open said valve when engaged with an extraneous object and a second valve disposed in the exhaust steam passage beyond said tube for controlling the egress of steam therethrough.

2. A valve header comprising a housing having a chamber therein, an inlet communicating with said chamber, a Venturi tube, a valve cage having an exhaust steam passagertherein, a jet connected with said inlet and extended within said Venturi tube, a. poppet valve within said chamber and having the stem therefor extended beyondthe housing, and a valve disposed within the exhaust steam passage beyond said Venturi tube for controlling .the discharge of steam through said exhaust steam passage.

3. A valve header comprising a. housing having a chamber therein, an inlet communicating with said chamber, a Venturi tube, a valve cage having an exhaust steam passage therein, a steam jet connectedwith said inlet and extended within said Venturi tube, a valve in said chamber adapted for external control, and a valve in said exhaust steam passage for controlling the egress of steam therethrough.

4. In a machine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a valve header, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an exhaust steam conduit connected to said header a valve in said exhaust steam conduit,'mechanism coordinated with said drum for controlling the operation of said valve during the rotative cycle of said drum, mechanism on said drum for supporting a can in abutting engagement with said header, a valve in said header for effecting communication between the header and the can, and means within said header for creating a partial vacuum therein u'pon adjustment of said exhaust steam valve.

5. In a machine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products, embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a valve head-g er, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an exhaust steam conduit connected to said header, a valve in said exhaust steam conduit, mechanism on said drum for supporting a can in abutting engagement with said header, a valve in said header for effecting communication between the header and the can, a Venturi tube within said header intermediate the interior thereof and the steam exhaust conduit, a jet connected to said steam inlet and extended within said Venturi tube, a non-rotatable cam, linkage coordinated with said cam for opening the exhaust steam valve during the rotative cycle of said drum, a can supporting mechanism on said drum for maintaining the can in abutting engagement with said header, and a valve in said header for effecting communication between the interior of the can and the interior of the header.

6. In a machine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a? valve header, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an,

exhaust steam conduit connected to said header, a valve in said-exhaust steam conduit, mechanism on said drum for supporting a can in abutting engagement with said header, a valve in said header, a valve stem therefor arranged to eflect the opening of said valve when engaged with said can, and means within said header comprising a Venturi tube and a steam jet for creating a partial vacuum upon adjustment of said exhaust steam valve.

'7. In a machine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a valve header, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an

exhaust steam conduit connected to said header, a valve in said exhaust steam conduit, a cam disc non-rotatively mounted upon said frame, a lever mounted upon said drum and having an end thereof engageable with the periphery of said disc cam, linkage operatively connecting said lever with said valve, a valve in said header adapted to effect communication to the interior of said header, and means within said header to create a par-, tial vacuum therein upon the opened adjustment of the exhaust steam valve and the header valve.

8. In a machine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a valve header, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an exhaust steam conduit connected to said header, a valve in said exhaust steam conduit, a cam aflixed to said frame linkage mounted upon said drum and operably associated with said cam and said valve, the surface of said cam-being formed to effect the actuation of the valve during an,

operating cycle of said drum, ,a valve in said header for eifectuating communication between the header and the contents of said canned food products being processed by saidmachine, and

-means within said header for producing a partial provided with a fixed.

vacuum when the first and last named valves are opened.

9. A valve header comprising a housing having a chamber therein, an inlet communicating with said chamber, a Venturi tube, a valve cage having an exhaust steam passage therein, a jet connected with said inlet and extended within said Venturi tube, a poppet valve within said chamber and having the stem therefor extended beyond the housing for engagement with an extraneous object to hold the valve in'its open position, thehead of said poppet valve being of greater area than the seat therefor to provide for the closure of the valve by-steam pressure within the chamber when the exhaust steam passage is closed and the valve stem is free of engagement with an extraneous object.

10. In amachine for sterilizing and sealing canned food products embodying a frame having a drum rotatively mounted thereon, a valve header, a steam inlet conduit connected thereto, an exhaust'steam conduit connected to said header,

a valve in said exhaust steam conduit, mechanism on said drum for supporting a can in abutting engagement with said header, a valve in said header, a valve stem therefor arranged to effect the opening of said valve when engaged with said can, means within said header comprising a Venturi tube and a steam jet for creating a partial vacuum upon adjustment of said exhaust steam valve, the area of the head of said header valve being proportioned in relation to the valve seat tionengageable with the valve part of a valved container supported on said means, said header having a chamber, inlet and outlet passages communicating therewith and a nose passage extending from the chamber thru the nose portion of the header, the outlet passage including a Venturi portion, valve means in the nose passage operable to open the valve of a container on said supporting means and thereby to connect the interior of t the container with the chamber of the header, a

conduit for conducting steam under pressure to said inlet passage, and a valve associated with said outlet passage and open during part of the rotation cycle of said turret and container-supporting means and while said nose passage is open, whereby the passage of steam at a high velocity through said chamber will cause gases to flow from said container and chamber thru said outlet passage.

12. Apparatus for canning food stuffs including a turret rotatable about a horizontal axis and container-supporting means rotatable therewith, 'a header having a nose portion engageable with the valve part of a valved container supported on said means, saidheader having a chamber, inlet and outlet passages communicating therewith and a nose passage extending from the chamber thru the nose portion of the sage operable to open the valve of a container on said supporting means and thereby to connect the interior of the container with the chamberof the header, a conduit for conducting steam under" pressure to said inlet passage, a valve in the outlet passage of said header, and associated with said valve to open said valve timing part of the rotation cycle of said turret and container-supporting means, whereby the passage of steam at under pressure pass alght across the chamber from the infiet to the outlet passage, said outlet passage being i med as venturi, and a nose passage extend from chamber thru the nose portion of e header, valve means in the nose passage on sic to open the valve of it container on said, so orting means and thereby to connect the inter? the container with the chamber of the hear a conduit for conducting steam under pressure said inlet passage, a valve associated with the outlet passage and operable during part of t l tation cycle of said turret and container sorting to permit steam to flow fro inlet passage across said chamber and out said outlet passage while the nose passage is open.

i4. .ipparatus for canning food stuffs including turret rotatable about a-horizontal axis, a plurality of container-supporting means rotatable with and. radially disposed on said turret, a plurality of headers rotatable with the turret and disposed thereon radially inward from said container supporting means, each header having a nose portion engageable with the valve part of a valved container supported on the adjacent container-supporting means, each header having a. chamber, inlet and outlet passages communicating therewith, and a nose passage extending from the chamber thru the nose portion of the header,

the zzidjacent ends ofthe said inlet and outlet outlet passages, each such valve being opened durpart of the rotation cycle of said turret and v e the respective nose passage is open, whereby passage of steam at high velocity from the inlet passage to the outlet passage will cause gases to flow from the said chamber and container to said outlet passage.

mm is. 

